Swaging and alignment die



Feb. 4, s B DALLAS SWAGING AND ALIGNMENT DIE Filed Aug. 27, 1934Patented Feb. 4, 1936 TATES PATENT ()FFICE 7 Claims.

This invention refers to methods for joining metal T-bars together. Ithas among its objects to provide a cold process for aligning, joiningand locking conventional T-shaped bars of metal to- :gether; to design adie block and swage lock that will enable such process and method to bedone by a conventional stamping machine; to have such method arrangedthat no objectional stresses or strains will be produced in the metalportion where the arrangement is used, to have the completed joint madeby the method free from objectionable protrusions and defects in appearance; to provide a method of making right-angle intersections inT-shaped bars that will be strong, tight and compact. Other objects willbecome apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

The usual method of securing joints for T- shaped bars, particularlysuch as is used in metal window construction consists in using gussetplates and welding. These methods make the joints cumbersome, addsmaterial and provides protrusions of various kinds that affect theutility and appearance. In this invention, a swaging process joins theT-bars at the intersection and 25. forces the metal of one part into theother causing it to fill up all spaces at the joint and lock the partsquasi-homogeneously together. The method works quickly and aligns theworks so that all minor irregularities are ironed out and the jointfinished in a strong workmanlike manner.

In the drawing which illustrates by way of example an embodiment of thisinvention:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the dieblock and swage block usedin this modification of the invention, with the metal pieces to bejoined indicated in dotted outlines.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of Figure 1 along line 2--2.

Figure 3 is a detail view of the swaging pyramids used for flowing thematerial.

Figure 4 is a detail view of the T-bars before being joined, indicatingthe manner in which they are cut.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout thedrawing.

In the drawing, the preferred forms in which the T-bars are cut beforebeing placed on the die block, are shown in Figure 4, Where I is the webof one of the T-bars and has a square cut slot 2, extending throughabout one-half the length of the web from its edge 3. The other T- barsection which is arranged to cross or bridge the first at right angleshas its web II and flange I5 cut away at 13 and I4 respectively. Thesides being slanted at an angle and the other side 26 slightly out ofperpendicular. This enables the swaging to flow the metal as required ina more facile manner. When the sections are located in the die-block,the flange 5 rests on the pyramids 26 and web I in the cross-cut recess22, while the second section has its web II and slot l2 straddling onthe Web I.

While so positioned the sections of T-bar are ready for swagingtogether. A swaging block 3| is mounted in a press or stamping machineabove 20 the die-block and has a flat stamping surface 32 provided forstriking the outer faces of the flanges 53 and [5 of the T-bars. Theblock 3| is provided with a suitable stem 33 or other means for securingit to the operating machine, and the 25 die block is provided with somesuitable means for securing it to the bed of the machine.

When the sections are positioned, the swaging block is brought downheavily on the outer faces of the flanges and the pyramids 24 are forced30 into the inside faces of the flanges 5 causing the metal of theflange in these locations to flow outwardly and fill the spaces andagainst the cut away portions at l3 and against the walls at 16, therebylocking the sections together. The pyr- 35 amids leave slots Q in theflanges 5 causing the flowed metal to enter into the dovetailed cuts inthe flanges of the other section. When the swaging process is completed,it has aligned the T-bars accurately and then forced them power- 40fully together, causing the joints to fill tightly and securely, andwhere the dovetail portions are: to lock solidly therein. This resultsin a very secure joint and makes it free from looseness and strains thatmight affect the utility thereof. The process is quickly performed andrequires no heat and additional metal or material to complete andreinforce the joint.

While but one form of the invention is indi- 50 cated in the drawing, itis not desired to limit this application for patent to the particularform described or in any other way, otherwise than limited by the priorart, as it is appreciated that other forms might be used that wouldemploy 55 the same principles and come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:-

1. A die for jointing cross-bars together, com- 5 prising a die blockhaving a plurality of crosscut recesses therein to receive and takeT-bars to be joined together, swaging pyramids provided on the surfaceplane of the block above and adjacent to the walls of said slots anddisposed to make digging contact into the flanges of the T-bars to bejointed, and means for swaging for the die block.

2. A die for jointing T-cross-bars together comprising a die blockhaving a plurality of cross cut recesses therein to receive and take thewebs of the cross-bars therein, cut and bridged over each other, aplurality of swaging pyramids mounted on the surface plane of the dieblock above the walls of the said recesses and adjacent to a portion ofsame and adapted to have their apexed edges contact the inside surfacesof the flanges of the T-cross-bars set in the recesses and bridging overeach other ready for jointing, and a swaging member for striking theoutside surfaces of the flanges of the cross bars and for forcing theflanges down on the said pyramids to flow the material thereof towardsthe jointing lines of the cross-bars and into close and tight contacttherewith.

30, 3. A die for jointing T-cross-bars together comprising a die blockarranged with a plurality of cross-cut recesses therein and adapted toclosely receive and take the webs of cross-bars cut and bridged overtherein, swaging pyramids 35. mounted on the block adapted to providepressure contact with the under surfaces of some of the flanges of theT,-cross-bars, and means for pressing the flanges of the cross-bars downon the said pyramids and the surface plane of 40 the die-block andforcing the material of the cross-bars in the flanges towards thejointing lines thereof and into dove-tailed locking contact with eachother.

4. A die for processing the jointing of cross 4.; bars of a window sashcomprising a main body having a plurality of slots therein for thereception of cross bars, and pyramidical projects on the face of the diefor contacting with portions of the cross bars, and a stamping block forstriking the cross bars and forcing the same to press on the projectionsand swage the material of the cross-bars out into each other into lockedconnections closely fitting the jointed portions into each other.

5. A die of the class described comprising a 5 base block with cross cutslots for receiving the legs of conventional metal sections cut tobridge each other and make a flush connection, said block having aplurality of projections thereon arranged for contact with the surfaceportions 10 of the sections and adjacent the joining portions thereof,and a stamping block for striking the sections in place in the slots forforcing same against the projections and thereby swage the material ofthe sections into the spaces at the 15 joints and thereby fill same andlock the sections firmly together.

6. A die of the class described comprising a base block with cross cutslots provided therein at right angles to each other and adapted to re-20 ceive the legs of conventional T-bars cut to bridge over each other,said block having a plurality of projections on its faces adapted tocontact the faces of the flanges of the T-bars adjacent to the bridgingportions thereof, and a stamping block 25 for striking the flanges ofthe T-bars and forcing the same against the projections and sectionagainst each other, whereby the material of the T-bars will be flowedinto each other at the joining portions into a firmly locked contact.

'7. A die for jointing T-cross bars together comprising a block arrangedwith two cross-cut recesses therein for a pair of T-bar sections cut tobridge over each other and with the flanges and webs in the same planeand level with each other, said recesses being arranged to hold thesections closely and properly aligned, a set of pyramids arrangedparallel and adjacent to one of the recesses and with their apexed edgespointing upwardly to the surface of one of the T-bar 40 sections, and aswaging member for striking the T-bar sections and forcing them againstthe pyramids and thereby form depressions therein, the material from thedepressions being flowed towards the webs of the sections and tightlyfastening, and dove-tail locking the flanges together and the webs intoa semi-homogenous connection.

SAMUEL B. DALLAS.

